Improvement in wagon-wheels



s sHlRLEY,

Vehicle Wheel;

No. 84.009. Patented Nov. 10, 1868.

Wiwe a 8 @atwt l (tithe.

SlLAS SHIRLEY, OF ROCKFGRD, ILLINOIS.

' Letters Patent -No. 84,009, dated November 10, 1868 IMPROVEMENT IN WAGON-WHEELS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

with curving flanges, within the hub, which is operated,

when desired, by means of threads and nuts, for the purpose of expanding the wheel, and tightening the tire when it becomes loose. The details of construction will be fully described hereinafter.

In the drawings-- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved wheel, complete;

Figure 2, a side elevation, with the cap removed; Figure 3, a perspective view; and

Figure 4, a perspective view of one of the blocks B. v

To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains, to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A represents the inner hub or box, which is constructed of a simple cylinder or of such other similar form as may be preferred.

B represents a block or bar, which is tape'iingjn form, as shown, and provided with curving flanges b b, which latter are also tapering in form.

0 represents a rod, which may be made a fixed part of block B, or may be inserted through it, which rod is provided at each end with screw-threads.

D represents curving friction-plates, whose sides are parallel.

When the wheel is complete, with all its parts in position, the flanges b b rest upon the box A, as shown, the length ofthese flanges being dependent upon the number employed. A small space should beleft between. their ends, as clearly shown in figs. 2 and 3.

The friction-plates D are placed over the flanges b b, breaking the joints of. the latter, and bearing up against the inner ends of the spokes, as shown. These plates extend from block to block.

Vdhen thus arranged, it will be observed that the ends of blocks B extend up between two of the spokes, thus slightly separating them.

Gaps E, one of which may be aflixed permanently to the hub A, are placed upon each side of the hub, and are secured in place by means of nuts, as shown, the ends of rods 0 extending through for that purpose.

When it is desired to expand the wheel, the nuts are; loosened upon the wide side of the blocks B, and tight ened upon the other side. By this operation, the bev elling flanges are drawn under the friction-plates, thus pressing the latter outward, and enlarging the wheel.

The block s'B also press the inner ends of the spokes more closely together, and the whole is rendered-tight.

The caps E are slotted, where the rods 0 pass through them, in order to permit the necessary play.

Having thus fully described my invention,

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

The wheel described consisting of the box A, bevelling blocks B, with curving flanges b b, friction-plates D, rods- 0, and caps E, the whole being combined and operated in connection with the spokes of an ordinary wheel, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

This specification signed and witnessed, this 18th day of September, 1868.

Y SILAS SHIRLEY.

Witnesses:

A. Pnmvovnn,

G. W. Form. 

